Page 30 of Heart of Ice

“It’s okay,” Ruben said. “I’m sure when I wake up tomorrow and fully understand what happened I’ll be worked up too, but right now all I can think of is going to sleep.” His eyes slid shut as he spoke. He’d hardly eaten anything, but I didn’t think he’d be awake much longer.

“How does bed sound?” I asked even though I knew he should eat more.

“Like heaven, but only because you’ll be there too.” He smiled with his eyes closed and leaned against me. I was so worried about hurting him I was frozen next to him, afraid to move.

“You try to eat a little more and I’ll go turn the bed down and find you something to change into,” I said before slipping away from him. “I’ll be right back.” He opened his eyes then and smiled.

“Thank you, Max,” he said and took another bite of toast.

I was happy I’d stayed here a few times and knew where he kept everything, and after getting the bed ready I was about to walk out to the living room when he met me at the door. “I put everything away. Can we go to bed?”

“Of course, whatever you want,” I said and helped him with his shirt. “The one time I’m glad to see you wear a button-down shirt.”

“You don’t like them?” he asked.

“I love how you look in casual clothes when we’re here,” I said with a shrug. “It’s cozy.”

He opened his eyes again and smiled before leaning in to kiss me. “I’m so happy you’re here.” After helping him with his clothes I changed mine and slid into bed next to him. I curled up behind him and held him close while he held my hand.

“I’m happy I’m here too,” I whispered before kissing the back of his neck.

Twenty-Seven

Ruben

I woke the nextmorning and gasped at the pain that instantly hit. “Shhhh, don’t move,” Max said from behind me. I did what he said as he slid out of bed and walked out of the room. He returned a short time later with something soft and cold that he gently placed on the side of my head.An ice pack.

“Thank you,” I said and snuggled in closer to him. “You’re the best.”

“I try,” he said with a gentle kiss before I fell back asleep.

The next time I woke it was light in the bedroom, and I was by myself. I could hear the sound of the television from the living room and slid to the side of the bed. A wave of dizziness hit me making me groan, and Max was instantly in front of me.

“Are you in pain?” he asked.

I opened my eyes to find his troubled eyes on me. Reaching out I brushed his cheek with my thumb and leaned in for a kiss. “It’s okay. I was just a little dizzy.”

“Let me help.” He stood before reaching his hands out for mine and helping me stand.

It took a moment for me to get my balance but then I was okay. “I think I need to eat.”

“I thought you might. I ordered some food,” Max said and helped me out of the bedroom.

“Bathroom first,” I said and used the hallway wall to brace myself. He reluctantly left me alone, but I knew he’d stay right by the door. “Go ahead, I’ll yell when I’m done.” He nodded and left me then. After going to the bathroom, I washed my hands and got a look at myself in the mirror. The bandage on my head was huge and I knew I had stitches, but I wasn’t sure how many or if they’d cut off any hair or what exactly was under the bandage.

Resisting the urge to take it off I brushed my teeth before carefully bending forward to splash water on my face. My eye on that side was slightly bruised and I hoped I didn’t end up with a full black eye, but getting hit in the head with a fucking puck was going to do some damage. Feeling a little better, I opened the door and wasn’t surprised at all that Max was there to help me. “Sorry, but I don’t want you to fall.” He put his arm around my waist and led me out to the couch.

“I don’t mind you taking care of me,” I said. “Yesterday is a blur. I don’t even remember coming home.” My head pounded but my thoughts were clear.

“Good thing because you’re sort of stuck with me now,” Max said and opened up a box of pizza. “I hope you’re hungry. I ordered a little of everything.”

My stomach growled at his words, and he laughed before handing me a slice with a napkin. “Thank you.” Once I took a bite I couldn’t stop eating and was so glad he’d ordered a lot. I was about to get another piece when there was a knock at the door.

“Sorry, I tried to tell them to wait but they insisted.” He opened the door without looking and nearly the whole team filed into my house.

“Doc, how are you doing?” Coach said and stopped me when I tried to stand. “We just wanted to make sure you were okay and see if you needed anything. But it looks like Hofstedder is taking good care of you.” He glanced at Max and winked.

“He really has. I just told him I don’t remember the drive home at all.”

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